Bolster hoist



E. D. JONES BOLS'IER HOIST Sept. 10, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct. 23, 1965 //v vEA/raA. 1 DON 0. .Joxvza 5y Maya-z A M ATTOPMEX E. D. JONES BOLSTER HOIST Sept. 10, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Oct. 23.

lNl/ENTOR. ELDON D. JONES 5y w E. D. JONES BOLS'IER HOIST Sept. 10, 1968 3 Sheets-Shem 5 Original Filed Oct. 23, 1963 //v VENTOR. E1. DON 0. Jonas 8) ATTORNEY United States Patent 26,455 BOLSTER HOIST Eldon D. Jones, Lake Crystal, Minn. 56055 Original No. 3,179,470, dated Apr. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 318,234, Oct. 23, 1963. Application for reissue Mar. 10, 1967, Ser. No. 626,354

Claims. (Cl. 298-22) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bolster hoist for a wagon box mountable on a wagon frame and operable to angularly move the wagon box between loading and dumping positions. The hoist mechanism comprises an hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected between a pair of link members which are pivoted together at one end and pivoted at their opposite ends to the box and wagon frame, respectively. The pivotal connections between the pair of link members and between the pair of link members and the tiltable frame and the front transverse wagon beam are positioned in substantially the same h rizontal plane as the box rear pivotal mounting on the main frame.

This invention relates to a lift apparatus usable with vehicles equipped with a dump box. More particularly the invention is directed to a bolster hoist for a wagon box mountable on a wagon frame and operable to angularly move the wagon box between loading and dump positions.

It is the object of this invention to provide an improved bolster hoist for a wagon box which provides for a low mounting of the box on the wagon frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bolster hoist which is a self-contained assembly adapted to be readily mounted on conventional type farm wagons.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wagon having a box movable from a loading position to a dump position with a bolster hoist which inhibits twisting of the box about its longitudinal axis during its raising and lowering movement.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a wagon bolster hoist having structural components foldable in a nesting relationship to form a compact assembly which is readily moved from a folded position to an expanded position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a wagon bolster hoist which is durable in construction, eflicient in operation, and economical to manufacture and install.

These and other objects and advantages of this inven' tion will be readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a wagon having a flare-type box equipped with the bolster hoist of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the wagon of FIG. 1 illustrating the hoist in the extended position for holding the box in a dump position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one lift assembly of the hoist of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the hinge connection between the upper hoist beam and the wagon box; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the hinge connection between the wagon frame and the lower beam of the hoist.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 illustrated as a farm wagon having a flared box 11 supported on a frame 12. As best shown in FIG. 2 the frame 12 comprises conventional wagon structure which includes a front transverse beam 13, and a rear transverse beam 14. A longitudinally extended reach 16 connects the beams 13 and 14. Two pairs of diagonal brace members 17 and 18 coact with the reach 16 to hold the beams 13 and 14 in their transverse positions.

Wheel and axle assemblies 19 and 21 are secured to the opposite end sections of the beams 13 and 14, respectively, and support the wagon frame 12 above the ground. The front wheel assemblies 19 are coupled to a forwardly projected tongue 22 which functions as a towing link and is swingable to turn the wheel and axle assemblies 19 relative to the frame 12.

The rear section of the box 11 is pivotally connected to the top of the transverse beam 14 by a hinge unit 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge unit 23 comprises a pair of angle members 24 and 26 secured to the transverse beam 14 on opposite sides of the reach 16. Each angle member has a horizontal pin 27 secured to the top side thereof in a position above and parallel to the beam 14. A plate 28 having upwardly directed end flanges is secured to the bottom of the box 11. Two pairs of U- shaped ear members 29 are secured to the bottom surface of the plate 28 and extend about the opposite ends of the pins 27 to form a pivotal connection between the rear section of the box 11 and the transverse beam 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front section of the box 11 has secured to its bottom wall a transverse member 31 having a Z-shape cross section. The upper flange of the Z-shape member 31 is secured to the bottom wall of the box in alignment with the beam 13 of the wagon frame. The lower flange of the member 31 rests on the upper surface of the transverse beam 13. When the box is in the loading position the member 31 supports the front section of the box 11 on the transverse beam 13.

The box 11 is pivoted about the axis of the hinge unit 23 by a hoist mechanism indicated generally by the nu meral 32. As shown in FIG. 1, when the box 11 is in the loading position the hoist mechanism 32 is in a folded position and extends rearwardly from the front transverse beam 13 below the box 11. As shown in FIG. 2, when the box is in the dump position the hoist mechanism 32 is in an extended position wherein the front section of the box 11 is elevated. The hoist mechanism 32 comprises a pair of lift assemblies 33 and 34 which are connected at their mid-section by a transverse tubular member 36. The lift assemblies 33 and 34 are right and left-hand pairs and are substantially identical in construction. The following description is limited to the lift assembly 33 with the corresponding structure in lift assembly 34 being indicated with the same reference numerals with the sufiix a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lift assembly 33 comprises a first link member 37 having a vertically disposed triangular-shape plate 38 and an outwardly directed flange 40 along the side of the member 37 which defines the longest edge of the triangle. The flange 40 is on the top side of the link member 37 and the triangular portion of the link member projects in a downward direction. The link member 37 is reinforced by a gusset plate 39 which is secured to the lower edges of the link member 37 and the end section of the tubular member 36. An upwardly extended plate 41 is secured to the gusset plate 39 inwardly from and substantially parallel to the link member 37. A triangular-shaped gusset plate 42 is secured to the top of the plate 41 and the adjacent portion of the tubular member 36.

The forward end of the link member 37 has an outwardly and downwardly projected angle leg 43 secured to the flangc 40 which defines a downwardly open channel with the vertical side of the link member 37. A transverse pin 44 is secured to the downwardly extended portions of the angle leg 43 and the link member 37.

A second link member 46 having a length substantially equal to the length of the first link member 37 is positioned adjacent the inside wall of the link member 37. The link member 46 is a channel member which opens in a downward direction. The rear end sections of the first link member 37 and the second link member 46 are pivotally connected for relative movement on a transverse axis. This pivotal connection is substantially parallel and adjacent to the transverse tubular member 36 and includes a bushing 47 secured to the rear end of the downwardly extended flanges of the second link member 46 and a pin 48 positioned in the bushing 47 and secured at its opposite ends to the upper section of the plate 41 and the rear section of member 37. As shown in FIG. 4 the bushing 47 has a length substantially equal to the transverse distance between the link member 37 and the plate 41 to minimize the transverse movement between the link members 37 and 46.

The downwardly extended flanges of the second link member 46 adjacent the forward end thereof are upwardly inclined to clear the transverse beam 13 of the wagon frame when the box 11 is in the loading position. A transverse pin 43 is welded on the forward end of the channel link member 46. As shown in FIG. 5, the pin 49 is positioned in the pocket of the Z-shaped transverse member 31 and is retained therein by a pair of spaced angle members 51 and 52 positioned about the end sections of the pin 49. The ends of the angle members 51 and 52 are secured to adjacent flanges of the member 31.

A fluid motor 53, illustrated as a single acting hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly, is longitudinally positioned between the first link member 37 and the second link member 46. As shown in FIG. 3, the fluid motor 53 comprises a cylinder 54 into which is slidably disposed a piston 56. A piston rod 57 extends longitudinally from the lower end of the cylinder. The upper or head end of the cylinder 54 is in bearing engagement with a transverse pin 58, the opposite ends of which are secured to the downward flanges of the channel-shaped link member 46 rearwardly of the pin 49. Secured to the head end of the cylinder 54 is a downwardly curved flange 59 which is positioned about the pin 58 to retain the cylinder within the channel of the link member 46.

As best shown in FIG. 4, a crosshead 61 is attached to the outer end of the piston rod 57 and extends transversely between the link member 37 and the plate 41. A transverse pin 62 projects through the crosshead 61 and is secured at its opposite ends to the lower sections of the link member 37 and the plate 41. The connection of the piston rod 57 with the crosshead 61 is offset toward the link member 37 to minimize the twisting effect of the fluid motor 53 and the load on the link member 37.

As shown in FIG. 2, fluid conductor hoses 63 and 64 are coupled to the head end of the fluid motors 53 and 53a, respectively. The hoses 63 and 64 are connected to a common hose 66 which is fastened to the bottom wall of the box and is of a sufficient length to permit coupling with the hydraulic pressure system of a vehicle, such as a tractor.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the forward end of the first link member 37 is pivotally connected at 65 to the transverse beam 13 of the wagon frame. This pivotal connection 65 is formed by an angle member 67 positioned over the upper rear edge of the transverse beam 13. A hook-shaped member 68 is positioned over the back of the angle member 67 and is secured therewith to define a transverse passage 69. A bolt and nut assembly 71 secures the angle member 67 and member 68 to the beam 13. The transverse pin 44 extends through the passage 69.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hoist mechanism 32 is in a retracted position with the wagon box 11 resting on the transverse beams 13 and 14. The transverse tubular member 36 connecting the lift assemblies 33 and 34 of the hoist mechanism rests on top of the reach 16. In this position the fluid motors 53 and 53a extend in a forward and upward direction with the angle formed by the angle formed by the opposite pivots of the fluid motors 53 and 53a and the pivots between the link members 37 and 46 is substantially This angular relationship of the fluid motors 53 and 53a results in the maximum lifting force from the fluid motors in the initial movement of the box 11 toward the dump position. In the retracted position the second link members 46 and 46a and the fluid motors 53 and 53a fold adjacent the downwardly directed triangular link members 37 and 37a in a clearance relationship with the pair of diagonal brace members 18 of the wagon frame. The downwardly directed triangular link members 37 and 37a coupled with the nested relationship therewith of the link members 46 and 46a provides for the low mounting of the box 11 on the wagon frame.

In order to raise the wagon box 11 to the dump position as illustrated in FIG. 2, hydraulic fluid under pressure is directed to the common hose 66 and the hoses 63 and 64 to the head ends of the cylinders 54 and 54a, respectively. The fluid pressure in the cylinders conjointly moves the piston rods 57 and 57a out of their respective cylinders. The second link members 46 and 46a pivot about the pins 48 and 48a to etfect an upward movement of the front end of the box 11.

The lift assemblies 33 and 34 when moved to an expanded position apply substantially equal forces to opposite side sections of the box 11 and thus provide the Wagon box with stability and balance resisting twisting and swaying when it is in a dump position. During the angular movement of the wagon box 11 to the dump position the hinge connections formed by the pins 49 and 49a and the angle members 51, 52 and 51a, 5221 on the Z- shaped member 31 carry the lower link members 37 and 37a and the upper link members 46, 46a in an upward direction pivoting the forward ends of the link members 37 and 37a about the pins 44 and 44a.

To return the wagon box 11 to its normal loading position the hydraulic fluid under pressure in the fluid motors 53 and 53a is conjointly released and returned to a fluid reservoir forming part of the vehicle pressure system. With a release of the fluid pressure in the cylinders 54 and 54a the weight of the box 11 moves the piston rods 57 and 58 into the cylinders which in turn results in the folding of the channel link 46 adjacent the triangular link member 37 as shown in FIG. 1. The wagon box 11 pivots about the hinge unit 23 until the lower flange of the Z- shaped member 31 rests on the top of the transverse frame beam 13.

In summary. the hoist mechanism 32 of this invention has a pair of lift assemblies 33 and 34 each of which includes a fluid motor operable to fold and unfold the lift assemblies 33 and 34. When the fluid motors are in an expanded position the lift assemblies are extended holding a wagon box in a dump position. A contraction of the fluid motors moves the lift assemblies into a folded position as illustrated in FIG. 1 returning the wagon box 11 to its normal loading position.

[While there have been shown, described, and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention it is to be understood that various omissions, substitutions, changes in form, and details of the apparatus illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention which is intended to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims] I claim:

1. A bolster hoist for moving a pivoted wagon box between a loading position and a dump position, wherein the box has a front section and a rear section which is pivotally mounted on the frame of a wagon, comprising:

(a) a pair of first link members having forward end sections pivotally connected to opposite front por- (a) a pair of first link members having forward end sections pivotally connected to the second said transverse beam, downwardly directed mid-sections, and rear end sections,

tions of the wagon frame, downwardly directed mid 5 (b) means connecting the rear end sections of the first sections, and rear end sections, link members,

(b) means connecting the rear end sections of the first (c) a pair of second link members having forward seelink members, tions, mid-sections and rear sections, with the forward (c) a pair of second link members having forward secsections pivotally connected to opposite portions of tions, mid-sections and rear sections, with the for- 10 the front section of the box, and the rear end sections ward sections pivotally connected to opposite porpivotally connected to corresponding rear end sections of the from Section of the and the fear tions of the first link members, when the wagon box end sections pivotally connected to corresponding is in the loading position the pivotal connections ber ar d Sections f the fi link members, when tween the first and second link members and the secthe wagon box is in the loading position the pivotal end transverse beam and the wagon box respectively connections between the first and second link mom and the pivotal connections between the respective bers and the wagon box and the pivotal connections first and second link members are positioned in subbetween the respective first and second link members stantially the same horizontal plane as the pivotal are positioned in substantially the same horizontal mounting coupling the rear section of the box to the plane as the pivotal mounting coupling the rear sec- 0 first transverse beam of the frame, and tion of the box to the wagon frame, and (d) a pair of fluid pressure hydraulic cylinder means a P Of fluid Pressure hydrahhe cylinder means, disposed on opposite sides of said reach, one end one end 0f each Said cylinder means pivotally of each said cylinder means pivotally connected to nected to the downwardly directed mid-secti n of the downwardly directed mid-section of one of said one of said first link members below the horizont first link members below the horizontal plane through Plane through Said Pivot connections and the Other said pivot connections and the other end of said hyend of said hydraulic cylinder means pivotally condraulic cylinder means pivotally connected to the nected to the mid-section of the corresponding secmid-section of the corresponding second link mem- Ohd hhk member, the other of Said Cylinder means her, the other of said cylinder means pivotally con- Pivotally connected in a similar manner to the downnected in a similar manner to the downwardly diwardly directed mid-section of the other of sa fi st rected mid-section of the other of said first link rnemlink members and pivotally connected to the midbers and pivotally connected to the mid-section of section of the corresponding second link member the corresponding second link member whereby the whereby the downwardly directed mid-sections of downwardly directed mid-sections of the first link the first link members are disposed below the members are disposed below the horizontal plane zontal plane through said pivots when said box is through said pivots when said box is in the loading in the loading position on the frame, said pair of fiuid position on the transverse beams of the frame, said cylinder means being conjointly extensible to angupair of fluid cylinder means being conjointly extenlarly move the first link members for pivoting the sible to angularly move the first link members relabox on the wagon frame to a dump position and be- 40 tive to the second link members for pivoting the box ing conjointly retractable to permit the box to move on the wagon frame to a dump position and being from the dump position to the loading position. conjointly retractable to permit the box to move 2. A lift assembly for a bolster hoist comprising: from the p Position to The loading Position- (a) a first link member having an upright triangular- 4. A bolster hoist for moving a pivoted wagon box shaped plate with the longest section of the plate between a loading position and a dump position while forming the top side thereof, and upright plate means supported by a frame which includes first and second faced inwardly from and operatively secured to the transverse beams interconnected by a longitudinally extriangular-shaped plate adjacent the side opposite the tending reach with the rear section of the box being hypotenuse, pivotally supported on the first of said transverse beams,

(b) a second link member, comprising:

(c) means pivotally connecting one end of the second (a) a pair of hydraulic Cylinder means disposed on link member to a top portion of the triangular-shaped opposite Sides of Said reach! plate and plate means of the first link member, and (b) and two pairs of link members pivotally intercon- (d) a piston and cyltnder assembly pivotally connected acting the from end of the wagon box with the the second lmk member and to a pofnon of h second transverse beam, each such pair of link memtriangular-shaped plate defined by the side opposlte bers being positioned on opposite sides of said reach the hypotenuse and the side adja nt thereof and and each said pair of link members carrying one of P1316 means, Said Plsloh and Cyhhdel' assembly said hydraulic cylinder means in pivotal relation to prising a cylinder pivotally connected at one end to each link member P second hnk h i a Piston Shdably dlshosed (c) when the wagon box is in the loading position the in the cylinder, a piston rod secured to the piston ivotal connections between each pair of link memand protected from the cyhnder, and a Crosshefld and hers and between each pair of link members and the P asselhhly pivotally Connecting the Piston Tod box and the second beam are positioned in substanto the trlahgularshaped Plate and Philte means of tially the same horizontal plane as the pivotal mountthe first Plate member, the cl'osshead 0f the Cross- 5 ing coupling the rear section of the box to the first head and pin assembly having the piston rod ofi'set transverse beam of the frame, toward the upright triangular-shaped plate to mini 1 each i hydraulic 1i means being so i The twisting of thepistoh and Cylinder assembly ried by each pair of link members as to be positioned Wlth respectto the firsthhk memherbelow the horizontal plane through the pivot con- 3. A bolster hoist for moving a pivoted wagon box benections when the box is in the loading position on tween a loading position and a dump position while supthe transverse beams of the frame, ported by a frame which includes first and second trans- (e) said hydraulic cylinder means being conjointly exverse beams interconnected by a longitudinally extending tensible to angularly move the links of each pair of reach with the rear section of the box being pivotally suplink members relative to each other for pivoting ported on the first of said transverse beams, comprising: 7 the box about the first transverse beam to a dump position and being retractable to permit the box to move from the dump position to the loading position.

5. A hoist for moving a tiltable frame between a horizontal loading position and a dump position while supported by a main frame which includes a forwardly positioned transverse beam with the rear section of the tiltable frame being pivotally supported on the rear section of the main frame, comprising:

(a) a hydraulic cylinder means,

(b) a pair of link members having rear end sections pivotally connected together, said pair of link members pivotally interconnecting the front section of the tiltable frame with the transverse beam and carrying said hydraulic cylinder means in pivotal relation to each link member,

(0), when the tiltable frame is in the loading position the pivotal connections between said pair of link members and between said pair of link members and the tiltable frame and the transverse beam are positioned in substantially the same horizontal plane as the pivotal mounting coupling the rear section of the tiltable frame to the rear section of the main frame,

(d) said hydraulic cylinder means being so carried by 25 said pair of link members as to be positioned below other for pivoting the tiltable frame relative to the.

main frame to a dump position and being retractable to permit the tiltable frame to move from the dump position to the loading position.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are of record in the patented file of this patent or the original patent. 4

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,332,961 10/1943 Wood 29822 3,210,120 10/1965 Gouin 29822 2,437,656 3/1948 Steenhoven 29822 2,868,583 1/1959 Harbers 29822 X 3,043,629 7/1962 Schlueter et al. 29822 3,084,908 4/1963 Klein 29822 FOREIGN PATENTS 78,572 4/1963 Norway.

RICHARD J. JOHNSON, Primary Examiner. 

